Things to Do in Boston With Kids

One thing I’ve learned as a mom is that traveling with kids is a lot of work. I mean, a lot of work. From researching G-rated-yet-exciting activities to snack preparedness, it’s likely that you’ll want another vacation after this one—alone. You'll be happy to know that Boston caters to the under-age set, and there are loads of things to do with kids here. Museums, parks, cruises, tours that are thick with theatrics. Oddly enough, families can find fun with a variety of water fowl, from swans (Swan Boats) to mallards (Make Way For Ducklings statue) and other kinds of ducks (Boston Duck Tours).

To make your journey to Boston a little easier, I’ve put together some of my favorite kid-friendly fun spots, all guaranteed to earn you hero status and maybe an hour at the hotel bar after they conk out.

Leigh Harrington

About the author

Leigh formerly served as the Boston editor for Where and was the br...

Boston's quirkiest tour is also its most versatile, riding down city streets and creating a wake in the waters of the Charles River. Cool-looking World War II-style amphibious vehicles are driven by "Conducktors" who each play up a theatrical personality. Passengers must remain seated for 80 mins, so it's not a great option for toddlers.

Locate the giant yellow LEGO giraffe and you’ll know you’re in the right place. Children can build to their hearts’ content (and race model LEGO cars, and design towers and test their stability on the Earthquake Table). Then they can tumble, climb and slide in LEGO City Play Zone.

Artist Nancy Schön’s bronze sculpture "Make Way for Ducklings" honors the Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book by Robert McCloskey. It is usually mobbed by tots wanting to sit on Mrs. Mallard and by parents wanting to capture the experience on film. But it’s totally worth it.

Families looking to take a tour along the Freedom Trail should try Boston By Foot’s popular hour-long Boston By Little Feet walking adventure geared toward ages 6-12. It’s perfect for little legs and short attention spans.

Kids just don't want to get off this ride that makes couple-minute turns on the daily within the Greenway park. While watching it spin, parents and art lovers will appreciate the craftsmanship that's gone into this original, custom-built carousel by North Shore artist Jeff Briggs.

After you're done exploring exhibits, there are films to take in at the 4-D Cinema and/or the domed IMAX Omni Theater, visual adventures at the Planetarium, lightning shows in the Theater of Electricity, and the Thrill Ride 360 roller coaster simulator.

You will likely have to explain the concept of gestural engineering to the pre-high school crowd, but Arthur Ganson's kinetic sculptures are on display and can be used for demonstration. Then spend a couple bucks in the museum shop and they'll keep learning all the way home.